Hot Chocolate for Your Valentine
A Whipped Cocoa Recipe Yields Great Chocolate Flavor and Romance
Beating hot chocolate with a wire whisk yields a smooth cup of cocoa filled with great flavor. This easy cocoa recipe is a perfect treat for Valentine's Day!
A sweet, steaming, fragrant cup of hot chocolate is a perfect way to warm heart and soul.
Hot chocolate is incredibly easy to make. Yet, almost everyone ignores one crucial step when preparing hot chocolate at home: whisking. It's a secret that many chefs know. And in parts of Mexico like the city of Oaxaca, where hot chocolate is a way of life, they use special hand-carved chocolate beaters to do the job. But all you really need is a tool most kitchens already have: a wire whisk.
Briefly beating hot cocoa with a wire whisk for no more than about 15 seconds, until the drink is foamy or frothy, accomplishes three key goals:
- Smoothness. It fully incorporates all of the cocoa particles into the liquid, yielding smooth, thick results.
- Flavor. The beating action encourages the full flavor of the chocolate to emerge and develop.
- No skin. Beating prevents the formation of a skin on the surface of the hot liquid, a common occurance when milk is heated.
Of course, you'll want to start with good quality cocoa. The following recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder, combined with sugar and milk. But even if you use your favorite instant cocoa mix, the step of whisking or beating will vastly improve the quality of your finished results.
Note: Always be cautious when working with hot liquids. Take extra care not to splash the hot liquid during beating; using a deep saucepan helps. Make sure children are well clear of the cooking area, too.
Whipped Hot Chocolate Recipe
Makes 1 serving
- 1 1/2 heaping teaspoons sugar
- 1 heaping teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons very hot tap water
- 1 scant cup milk
Method:
- In a small saucepan, use a wire whisk to briefly stir together the sugar and cocoa powder. Add the hot water and stir over low heat until the sugar-cocoa mixture dissolve.
- Add the milk. Raise the heat to medium bring the liquid almost to a boil, stirring continuously with the whisk.
- When the mixture is steaming hot, remove the pan from the heat. Briskly but carefully whisk the liquid until frothy, about 15 seconds. Pour into a warmed mug and serve immediately.
The results will taste richest if you make the hot chocolate with whole milk; but you can also get excellent results using low-fat or nonfat milk. The quantities can be multiplied and prepared in a larger saucepan if you'd like to make more than one cup at once.
Of course, feel free to garnish each serving with marshmallows, a dollop of whipped cream, or some chocolate shavings. If you like, add a shot of your favorite sweet liqueur!
